Where to Stay in Dublin

From lavish boutique hotels to family-run guesthouses and dirt-cheap backpacker hostels, Dublin checks every box when it comes to accommodation but whatever your budget, it’s the location that’s most important. To help you decide where to stay in Dublin, here’s a quick guide to the most popular areas.

Dublin City Center

The compact city center, encompassing Dublin’s Temple Bar area, Trinity College and St Stephen’s Green, is hands-down the most popular district for tourists to bed down and offers the major bonus of being within walking distance of many of the city’s sights. A high concentration of hotels and backpacker hostels surround the Temple Bar district, making it a perfect location for enjoying Dublin’s nightlife, but be warned – the area can be noisy, particularly at the weekends and hostels aimed at the younger crowd will likely be crammed full of party goers. If it’s a good night sleep you’re after, staying smack-bang in the center might not be the wisest choice, so check out the hotels around Trinity College or St Stephen’s Green instead.

North of the River Liffey

Opting to stay north of the River Liffey is another popular choice with hotels and guesthouses generally a little cheaper than the center and still within walking distance of many of the sights. Those on a budget will find plenty of reasonably priced bed-and-breakfasts and backpackers hostels around Gardiner Street and Parnell Street, many of which are quieter and more spacious than those near Temple Bar.

Dublin Bay and Howth

If you’re staying in Dublin for longer than a couple of nights or prefer to stay outside of the main drag, look at hotels or rental accommodation in the less-hectic suburbs like Ballbridge. Another option is to stay in one of the guesthouses or holiday cottages along the coast of Dublin Bay, Dún Laoghaire or Howth. These properties are further away from the city center and better suited to those with more time to spare or their own transport, but you’ll be able to get a room with a view, have easy access to the sea and be able to explore the idyllic villages scattered around Dublin Bay.